Man arrested after foot chase at Paul Bunyan Mall

BEMIDJI -- An 18-year-old man was tackled and taken into custody after he allegedly fled from police Tuesday evening.

Devauhn Laditirs Rainey was arrested outside J.C. Penney’s, 1401 Paul Bunyan Dr. NW, just before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and booked on a charge of fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle, and a warrant for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

The exact reason the foot chase began is unclear, but an employee of the store who did not wish to give her name said several officers with the Bemidji Police Department chased Rainey out of the store, taking him to the ground just outside doors facing north at the rear of the building.

A short time later, the employee said, a customer approached with a bag found not far from the exit where Rainey was taken into custody. Another bag was also found in the store, the employee said.

Officers confiscated both bags from the employee, and inquired about reviewing surveillance footage from the store.

An officer on scene at the time declined to comment.